Bayleaf is an excellent swordsman and an above-aver-
age tactician in small skirmishes. Ozymandias placed
h im in charge of defending the cellars. If Bayleaf is cap-
tured, kiUed, or bribed, defense of the cellars becomes a
hectic, haphazard affair.
0 GMUND
Ogmund (CE male human gladiator) is a huge, stupid.
mean-spirited fighter. In battle he is awesome. wielding
his spear untiringly. During the battle with the pirates.
a blow from a warhammer knocked him unconscious.
He was left for dead and later dragged to safety by cler-
ics retreating to the cellars. He is embarrassed that
he did not die in the battle and will not make that mis-
take twice.
There is no negotiating with Ogmund. His demands
are simple: surrender or fight. As a tactician, Ogmund
is wholly wanting. He is likely to overlook the simplest
of ambush opportunities, and his only offensive tactic is
a headlong frontal attack. Ogrnund believes he should
oversee the defense of the island and resents Bayleaf's
presence. He gladly leaves the elf in the lurch if the
chance to do so arises.
DISCIPLES
The remnants of the abbey's faithful (two acolytes and
two cultists) are not a particularly spirited lot. After the
devastating loss to the pirates, they are not eager to join
battle with anyone. These low-level clerks and helpers
survived the battle and the burning of the abbey by hid-
ing in the cellars. Although the heat, smoke, and lack of
fresh air might have killed the disciples in a well-sealed
room, the cellars of the abbey are riddled with small
rat passages and ventilation shafts that pulled air in
from the outside, keeping the heat and smoke radiating
upward and permitting the disciples and their guards to
survive the flames.
The disciples perform only the functions needed for
the survival of the group. They fight only if necessary
and surrender at the first opportunity if any fight turns
against them. If questioned, they know very little about
the island and the abbey.
GUARDS
These three disciplined warriors (veterans) are the
last of the abbey guards. All were dying of their wounds
when they were found and healed by the clerics. Ozy-
mandias has ordered them to obey Bayleaf, but the
guards prefer Ogmund as their leader because he is one
of them and not ah ired sword. They will fight to the
death to save the clerics.
THE SURVIVORS' RESPONSE
The survivors in the abbey provide many potential social
interactions and combat encounters. Use the following
guidelines to decide how the survivors react to the char-
acters' actions.
HOSTILE
If the characters enter the abbey with swords drawn and
spells blazing, the survivors believe the pirates have re-
turned and mount a solid defense.Once combat begins. the survivors fight to the death
except for Bayleaf. He fights hard. but as the lone nonbe-
liever he is not ready to die for his employer.
Ogmund, the acolyte, and the cultist call for help and
attempt to delay the PCs.
The rest of the cultists rush to attack. They all rush
forward, open the door to their chambers, and join
in the fray.
The cultists try to attack the characters from multiple
directions. The acolytes and cultists throw themselves
into the fight without regard for their safety. All of the
cultists target clerics, wizards, and other casters in the
group first, since they know weU that a spell or two can
offset their numerical advantage.
Ozymandius and Odium try to remain in their rooms
while casting spells through the doorway. Odium uses
hold person to shut down potent warriors, while Ozy-
mandius relies on spirit guardians and spiritual weapon
to wear down the characters.
The veterans try to keep Ozymandius safe. possibly by
standing in the doorway to his chamber. Odium shrinks
back in his room, trying to stay clear of the fight. The
rest of the cultists don't particularly like him, and none
rush to defend him. If a character moves into his room,
however, the cultists might try to corner that character.
Bayleaf cares only about survival. He uses his short-
bow to fire from his room, and employs his magic and
abilities to hinder the characters. He keeps one 2nd-
level slot in reserve for invisibility to disappear from
view as the fight winds down. Once invisible, he sneaks
away if the characters seem treacherous, or offers tone-
gotiate if they seem honorable and willing to uphold any
bargains they make with him.CONVERSATIONAL
Parleying with the survivors is difficult, because Og-
mund is one of the first occupants the characters meet.
He is spoiling for a fight. but might be willing to talk as a
delaying tactic while the other survivors mobilize.
Ogmund keeps the characters talking until the rest
of the survivors enter the room. He then attacks. unless
Ozymandius orders him to stand down.
Ozymandius is the first named NPC to arrive, fol-
lowed by the veterans from areas 5, 7, and 8, and the ac-
olyte from area 6. 1 f the characters appear to offer a way
of getting off the island, Ozymandius orders Ogmund to
keep his hands off his weapons.
Odium, Bayleaf, and the cultist from area 10 arrive
next. Odium begs the characters to take him with them,
even offering to join them in battle against the charac-
ters. Bayleaf keeps an eye on the situation. If the party
appears powerful and confident, he turns invisible as
soon as he can and slips away to escape.
Ozymandius drives the negotiation. He settles for
nothing less than passage to the mainland for him and
two of the veterans so that he can get help to fortify the
island and rebuild. He offers the characters a place of
honor in the cult.
The characters might try to trick the survivors into
splitting their numbers. Ozymandius refuses to aban-
don the island, because doing so is deserving of a death
sentence in the eyes of bis superiors. The rest of theCHAI'! R 'i 1~1£ O~ Tiil \BllE\' 10'~